Accomack arson total at 63 following Melfa blaze

Fire destroyed an abandoned commercial structure on U.S. Route 13 south of Melfa early Thursday morning, March 7, 2013. Police are investigating the cause of the fire as an arson. It is the ninth suspected arson in Accomack County this week.

At 12:40 a.m., Virginia State Police agents and fire personnel were alerted to the 29500 block of Lankford Highway for a structure fire.

The blaze pushes the arson totals up to 63 since mid-November, police said this morning.

The structure fire was of a single story unoccupied commercial building, no injuries were reported.

"Through initial investigation, the fire appears to be arson," said State Police spokeswoman Michelle Anaya.

At 5 a.m., personnel continued to investigate the incident.

Virginia State Police once again urge the public to come forward with any information that can assist in solving the arsons on the Eastern Shore. There continues to be a $25,000 reward offered to any information that leads to an arrest and conviction.